Shloka 47
धृतराष्ट्र–संजय संवादः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Sañjaya on Arjuna’s Indraloka report and the political consequences
गच्छ मूर्ध्ना प्रपन्नो5स्मि पादौ ते वरवर्णिनि । त्वं हि मे मातृवत् पूज्या रक्ष्योडहं पुत्रवत् त्वया,वरवर्णिनि! मैं तुम्हारे चरणोंमें मस्तक रखकर तुम्हारी शरणमें आया हूँ। तुम लौट जाओ। मेरी दृष्टिमें तुम माताके समान पूजनीया हो और तुम्हें पुत्रके समान मानकर मेरी रक्षा करनी चाहिये
gaccha mūrdhnā prapanno ’smi pādau te varavarṇini | tvaṃ hi me mātṛvat pūjyā rakṣyo ’haṃ putravat tvayā varavarṇini ||
Arjuna said: “Go back, O fair-complexioned lady. I have come to you for refuge, placing my head at your feet. To me you are worthy of reverence like a mother, and you should protect me as though I were your son.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical conduct through śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) and maryādā (propriety): a woman is to be regarded as mātṛvat (mother-like) and therefore pūjyā (venerable), while the speaker places himself in the dependent role of a putra (son) who is to be protected. It emphasizes reverence, restraint, and the duty of protection rather than exploitation.
Arjuna addresses a woman respectfully, asking her to go back and declaring that he has taken refuge at her feet. He explicitly defines their relationship in moral terms—she is like a mother to be honored, and he is like a son to be safeguarded—thereby setting boundaries and invoking dharmic norms of protection and respect.